A trip to both Lady Anne's Drive & Wells.

Wednesday 14th February 2024.

This adult Mediterranean Gull was a surprise as I picked it out among a variety of Gulls in a field at the entrance of Lady Anne's Drive. There were plenty of Wigeon around in the same field. At least three Marsh Harriers were also seen nearby.

When I took my wife to Folly Tea Rooms for a Valentine's lunch today, a female Sparrowhawk flew low over the car park nearby; a Peregrine flew over just a few days before. This particular car park in Holt seems to be very good for Raptors! We decided to take a drive to Wells-next-to-sea to walk the dogs and perhaps to get a hot drink. But on the way there, I decided to take a drive to Lady Anne’s Drive for the flock of White-fronted Geese that were seen earlier today. Someone had reported them by viewing the birds by a lay-by near the Drive, but all we could see were GreyLag Geese. Bugger! I did pull into the Drive to check the fields, but all that were present were more GreyLags; but I did spot a near summer plumage adult Mediterranean Gull among the many Black-headed, Common and Herring Gulls. Later this evening, while checking the photos, the Med Gull in the photos was sporting rings on both legs. It would be interesting to see where the bird had come from.

A Chinese Water Deer (centre) grazing in a field off Lady Anne's Drive with plenty of wildfowl and waders present nearby. Below, a pair of Little Grebes on the East Fleet, Wells.

Above, the East Fleet looking north and below, the buildings and shops at East Quay.

Above, a Little Grebe on East Fleet with Oystercatchers behind and below, a Curlew wading in front of the Oystercatchers.

Above, the large number of dark-bellied Brent Geese on the football field. Eventually, they flew off and all took off by flying over the saltmarsh (below).

The Brent Geese flew back onto the East Fleet. On checking the photo, there were FOUR Little Grebes now on the water by the Geese.

Next, we took a drive into Wells-next-to-sea and after parking up, we took a slow stroll with the dogs north up the Beach Road, adjacent to the East Fleet. From here, I picked out three Little Grebes swimming on the water and a few waders were present on the mudflats that included Oystercatchers, a couple of Redshanks and lone Curlew. On the football fields opposite, a large gathering of around 400 Brent Geese were grazing and I went through them with a fine tooth comb, just in case the Red-breasted Goose was among them. Nope! Becky was soon getting tired and as it was just after 4pm and the light was fading, we made our way back to the shops where we had a hot drink. Way in the distance to the north, the huge gathering flock of Gulls suddenly all took flight and that was due to a female Peregrine flying over towards Holkham Pines, to round off a nice afternoon. 

In North Norfolk today, both the Black Scoter and Shorelarks were again seen at Holkham Gap, though no sighting of the Pallid Harrier, but two Hen-harriers were seen going to roost at Warham Greens. Incredibly, it was a balmy 16 degrees today here in North Norfolk, though maybe a little colder in the wind, but surely we should not be getting this warm in February! Crazy weather!